Family of 5 - is this an option at WDW?

[drewc]

Not a lot of options for a family of 5 at WDW, unless you are willing to drop a load of cash. At other non-Disney hotels, we have had no problem squeezing our 3 kids in (they are 8 and under). We've either had a rollaway brought in, or last time we brought an air mattress with no problems. In these cases, we just booked as 4 and then our 3 year old tagged along. We have never been questioned about this, and don't really feel like this is wrong.

I'm sure Disney wouldn't be thrilled about this (lost revenue), but has anyone else brought an "extra guest" (i.e. a small son or daughter not on the reservation)? Is this a viable option for a short stay at WDW?

We're not planning on doing this for our next trip, but I'm curious how others have dealt with this rather arbitrary headcount limit.

Thanks!

 

[grimley1968]

Up to age 3, kids are not counted against your room limit.

There are resorts you can go to sleep 5 or more people, such as FW cabins or any of the villas resorts.

Disney's limit is certainly an arbitrary one, but it's their limit, and we really have no ethical choice but to follow it.

 

[missypie]

Put on your flame suit. This board is full of rule followers.

I can relate to your issue. We are also a family of 5. On most vacations, we book an apartment, condo or tine share. On our WDW vacation, we stayed at YC and CR with an AP discount.

DH's brother and his family are also a family of 5. They travel on the cheap and are not afraid to break a few rules. They go to Florida every year for spring break and rent a condo on the beach, but spend a few days at Disney every year. They ALWAYS put 5 in a room at the All-Stars-and their kids are 13, 11 and 8. Not something I would choose to do, but they do it every year.

 

[grimley1968]

Put on your flame suit. This board is full of rule followers.

I can relate to your issue. We are also a family of 5. On most vacations, we book an apartment, condo or tine share. On our WDW vacation, we stayed at YC and CR with an AP discount.

DH's brother and his family are also a family of 5. They travel on the cheap and are not afraid to break a few rules. They go to Florida every year for spring break and rent a condo on the beach, but spend a few days at Disney every year. They ALWAYS put 5 in a room at the All-Stars-and their kids are 13, 11 and 8. Not something I would choose to do, but they do it every year.

But why break the rules, when there are "Disney legal" ways to sleep 5 in your suite/cabin? From the quotes I've gotten, a FW cabin costs about the same, or maybe $150 more for 7 nights, as a WL room, which definitely are cramped in size. However, the FW cabins, I've read, sleep 6 comfortably.

 

[Sheaboys]

I thought about doing this, but then we were going to purchase the dining (now free for us), and I wanted our 3yr old to get a meal and snack (I did not want to share that Mickey bar!!) Then my dh did not want to get to the gate and not have a ticket and get questioned. I paid for our 3yr old, staying at Port Orleans Riverside.

 

[Desnik]

I copied this from Deb's site about POR:
Alligator Bayou lodges are a more rustic, backwoods cottage setting, featuring 16 smaller two-story Cajun-style buildings with charmingly rustic wooden furniture and settings. In addition, the rooms in Alligator Bayou contain a trundle bed that will sleep a child bringing the room occupancy total to 5. The Trundle Bed is intended to accommodate children under 9; or persons under 5 feet tall. They are narrower than a conventional bed.

POR is a moderate resort so the cost is less than having to stay at a deluxe. Also, you could rent points from a DVC member for a villa, but the cheapest, non rule breaking way seems to be getting a room at POR.
It is a nice resort and has more amenities than a value. Be aware though that these rooms are smaller than a deluxe. If you will be spending a majority of the time in the parks you shuld be fine!

IMO (almost)everyone breaks rules at some point in their lives but with WDW resort occupency rules, it's about their fire codes, not because they feel like making a rule to annoy people with more than 4 in their family. I personally don't care what other people do or get away with, I wouldn't feel comfortable putting 5 in a room that is for 4 people.

Good luck!

 

[wrldpossibility]

We decided to stay at POR (we have a 7, 5, and 2 going) which houses 5. If WL had a standard room for 5, we'd do that. So are there places to stay without breaking the rules? Yes. But I don't like that my choices are so limited. I'm used to just paying extra for a roll-away at other resorts. Oh well!

 

[kizmac]

Your best legal deal is to stay at POR. We are doing POR with the trundle. I don't think it too horribly priced, but I guess I'll be better able to comment after our stay. Your kids are young and I know where you are coming from because we always stayed with 5 to a room offsite with no problem too. Wish Disney would of made it an option at the values or even charge $10 a night for the extra person like some hotels.

We probably would of stayed off site again had it not been for the free dining promo.

 

[kizmac]

We decided to stay at POR (we have a 7, 5, and 2 going) which houses 5. If WL had a standard room for 5, we'd do that. So are there places to stay without breaking the rules? Yes. But I don't like that my choices are so limited. I'm used to just paying extra for a roll-away at other resorts. Oh well!

Yes, that stinks that WL doesn't allow 5 to a standard. I really, really want to stay there.

 

[Desnik]

wrldpossibility
You could stay at the WL because your 5th person is a child under the age of 3. You can stay anywhere. After the child is 3 then you have the choice of POR, deluxes, villas, FW cabins, or 2 rooms at a value. Does anyone know what the occupancy rules are for the DtD resorts and Swan/Dolphin? That could be another option?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We decided to stay at POR (we have a 7, 5, and 2 going) which houses 5. If WL had a standard room for 5, we'd do that. So are there places to stay without breaking the rules? Yes. But I don't like that my choices are so limited. I'm used to just paying extra for a roll-away at other resorts. Oh well!

Just to let you know WL won't count your 2 year old as a 5th person. Kids only count as a 5th person when they are three and over. You can still get a regular room at WL or AKL. HTH.

My question on the 5 in a room still remains - if CBR is the biggest mod why didn't they put the trundles in there when they renovated CBR?

 

[Sammie]

If you do not register all of your family, someone will not be able to go to the Early Mornings or Extra Magic Hours.

If you plan to use those, you will have to find a place that allows 5 as everyone need Resort ID to participate.

 

[Troy08]

Years ago, we needed an extra bed in a mod-CBR, there were four of us in the room three females, one adult male. (the male and extra female could not share a bed together) We paid an extra 15.00 for a roll-a way. It was very comfy and we had plenty of room for three adults and a 12 year old. Do they still allow roll a ways at the CBR?

 

[DarkSideMoon]

uh i know "someone" who did this and worked out fine, including EMHs. The phrase, He's woth me works very well.

 

[Kala]

We have a similar delimma for part of our trip next month and we decided to book 2 connecting rooms at Pop. Lots of extra space and even beter... 2 bathrooms!

 

[BlsdMama]

We have FIVE kiddos - all under 9. We're only taking three on this trip, so we're staying at POR. You can take 15%-20% off for AAA or if you book BR, you can save even more. The cabin would make the most sense if you had four and I think when we take all of them, we'll get two connecting rooms at the POP. Heaven help us when we need THREE rooms, lol!!!!